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U.S., North Korea Toughen Stance Ahead of Nuclear Talks

As the U.S. prepares to resume nuclear negotiations with North Korea this week, both sides are hardening their positions, dimming hopes for a compromise.

North Korea says it has made enough concessions on nuclear disarmament and has grown more strident in its demands for the U.S. to reciprocate. Last week, Pyongyang threatened to resume building up its nuclear forces if the U.S. doesn’t remove sanctions or provide other ways to improve relations.

Washington credits the sanctions for bringing Pyongyang to negotiations and remains adamant about maintaining pressure, even as its stance causes friction with ally South Korea, which has talked openly about loosening sanctions.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is scheduled to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday, said last week that sanctions would stay in place until the complete and verified denuclearization of North Korea.